Memphis Can Handle The Pressure Of The No.7 Shirt

By Ollie Cranham-Young

With departure of Di Maria, Memphis has been handed the No.7 shirt

Bryan Robson confident he can handle the pressure of the iconic number

The eagerly anticipated squad numbers were announced recently and probably the biggest surprise of all was the fact that Memphis was given the number 7 shirt following departure of record-fee signing Angel Di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain.

In this article, we will look at whether Memphis can handle the pressure and become a United great alongside fellow No.7 legends Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo or whether he will become a flop like Dí Maria. Not only will we be giving you our opinion on the matter, but none other than Captain Marvel’s view on the situation. But in reality, only time will tell.

We’ll start off with Red legend Bryan Robson’s opinion. Who better to ask than somebody who knows all about United and knows what it feels like to wear exactly what Memphis will be wearing? Anyway, he has no doubts that Memphis can handle the pressure of the playing in the iconic No.7 shirt that has gone down in United folklore.

Memphis will become the seventh wearer of the number in the Premier League era and Robson reckons the precocious 21 year old has the self-belief to shine on the big stage aka Old Trafford and could be a key figure in United’s Friday Night clash with Aston Villa.

Only though, if he is given more space, because Robson believes that is the only way he can excel in his role.

I think he’s a confident lad. He’s got great ability and pace. I don’t think it [Wearing the number 7 shirt] will be a hassle to him otherwise he wouldn’t have accepted it.

This was what the former red’s skipper had to say about our new Dutch arrival. Finally, Robson also said that:

Memphis is only a young boy and will need to be given time to settle but it looks like he’s got great attributes and could do really well for us.

Robson said this ahead of our clash with Villa, and you can read our match preview for tonight’s highly anticipate away encounter here.

Following Bryan Robson’s verdict I will now give you my view on the matter. Personally, I think that it is a great move by United. I think that it will give Memphis the confidence boost that he needs (because he is at a new club) and will force him to excel in his specified role.

Hopefully, he will feel like he needs to give something back because he has been given such a valuable number and that will make him push on and work hard in upcoming campaigns. I think Memphis has great potential and has the pace that United have been missing, and with the number 7 on his back, it will make him look even more threatening to opposition teams.

Memphis Is The Right Man For The No.7 Shirt

We have already seen a taster of what he has to offer in pre-season and in our 1-0 win over Tottenham but like Robson said he needs time to settle in and will need time to form what I think could be a great partnership with Rooney. Nevertheless, I think giving Memphis the number 7 shirt is an excellent move.

Some say you have to earn it, however I think that is more the case with the captain’s armband. Ronaldo didn’t have to earn the shirt, so why should Memphis? He completely wants to be here so giving him number 7 is just highlighting how highly United think of him.

I for one, think he will be a fantastic addition to the team for many years to come. Let’s all hope he can be remembered for something like “Magical Memphis” in 10-15 years’ time.